Do I Need Speaker for a Turntable?
As vinyl records become more popular, both experienced collectors and new fans might wonder to know and each of them may ask “Do I need speaker for a turntable?” In short, record players do need speakers, but it depends on what you’re looking for. This guide on Digimigia will explain how record players work with speakers and help you choose the best one for your music listening experience.
What a Turntable Actually Is?
Vinyl record playback involves a turntable, which has a spinning plate to hold the record, a tonearm that moves the needle across the record’s grooves, and a phonograph cartridge that turns the needle’s movement into sound. To enjoy the music, you also need things like speakers, an amplifier, and a preamp. This setup allows people who love high-quality sound to build and customize their audio system for the best listening experience. Turntables are really cool inventions that turn physical movement into nice sounds that you can see right in front of you. This works because of several small parts and systems that help take tiny vibrations from where the needle touches the record and turn them into sound that your speakers can play back clearly and well.
Choosing Between Powered (active) and Passive Speakers
When you are deciding between passive and active speakers for your turntable, one of the most important things to consider is what features your turntable has related to built-in amplification. Some turntables come with a built-in preamp. A preamp takes the electrical signal from your turntable’s cartridge and makes it strong enough to be heard, but it still needs speakers to actually produce sound. Do I need speaker for a Turntable? If your turntable doesn’t have a built-in preamp, you’ll need to use either an external preamp or speakers that include a built-in preamp. The preamp can be part of the turntable, a separate device, or a feature in your speakers. Like many parts of your vinyl setup, each amplification option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some turntables have not only a built-in preamp but also built-in speakers and they are as record player with speakers. If you plan to only occasionally listen to records, maybe for their look or as a collectible, an entry-level turntable with built-in speakers could be a good choice.
Powered Speakers
As you might have guessed, powered speakers have built-in preamps, which means all you need to do to hear sound from your turntable is connect your speakers and plug them into a power source. Active speakers need power from batteries inside them or from a wall outlet, while passive speakers only get a signal from your preamp and turntable to produce sound. One big benefit of using powered speakers is that they don’t need an extra preamp. If you go with passive speakers, you’ll either need a turntable that already has a preamp or you’ll have to buy an external one. Choosing power speakers can be really helpful if you want to keep your setup simple with fewer pieces of equipment. Power or active speakers can work with turntables that don’t have built-in preamps. Some vinyl enthusiasts still choose to use an external preamp or opt for a turntable that includes one to enhance sound quality. One potential drawback of powered speakers is that they tend to be larger and heavier compared to passive speakers. This added weight is due to the additional electronics found in active speakers, which passive speakers lack. If you want the lightest setup and already possess a preamp in your turntable or separately, passive speakers could be a more suitable option.
Passive Speakers with Receiver/Amp
Passive speakers do not have built-in preamps. This means that if you want to use them with your turntable, you will need a turntable that has its own preamp that connects to both your turntable and your speakers. Because passive speakers lack a built-in preamp, they are generally lighter than those that do have one. These speakers get their power from batteries or a wall outlet. Instead of using electricity or batteries, they get a signal from an external preamp, which then boosts the sound for you. If you are choosing passive speakers, it gives you more freedom when you are setting up your system. Because you need an external preamp to make them work, you can pick your speakers and preamp separately. It can be fun and satisfying that you choose each part on your own. Also, if you are keeping your speakers, preamp, and turntable as separate components, it makes your setup more modular. This lets you easily to change or upgrade parts over time. Starting with passive speakers, a separate preamp, and a good turntable can be a big investment. But it can also offer great sound quality and give you space in order to make improvements later.
Conclusion
In answering the question of ‘do I need speaker for my turntable’, we told you that turntables don’t actually need speakers to make sound. But if you are using good speakers, it can really improve your music listening. It makes the music to be felt more real and lively. Digimigia helps you get started by offering a wide selection of eco-friendly turntables and speaker sets. These products are made with sustainability and social responsibility in mind, so you can enjoy your vinyl collection while helping the environment.